Spiderwort, native flower attracts pollinators in the morning then dissolves

Photo taken about 2 PM after flowers have dissolved for the day.

Tradescantia virginiana is native to our area.  Its flowers are blue, purple, or white.  Most of the spiderworts sold in nurseries are Tradescantia virginiana or hybrids.  There are 75 species of Tradescantia found from Canada to northern Argentina.

Tradescantia virginiana is a perennial. It likes most moist soils but can adapt to drier garden soils. It's described as growing in sun to shade -- in my experience they prefer some shade.  Morning sun is ideal as the flowers bloom in the morning then dissolve; each flower lasts just one morning.  In our area they bloom from spring through early summer.  More rain means more blooms -- it's been a good year for this plant.  Plants may be propagated from seed but they are more easily started from cuttings or divisions.  In my garden they are deer resistant.  

Spiderworts are so named because the angular leaf arrangement suggests a squatting spider. The genus is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England.  (info from Wikipedia and www.wildflowercenter.org.)

A Prayer for the Earth: Green Muslims and Dayspring

I represented Earth Stewardship East at an interfaith prayer service held June 12 at Dayspring, an ecumenical retreat center, and co-sponsored by Green Muslims.  We met at the old farmhouse and walked through a meadow in contemplative silence to a hill overlooking the lake as the sun began to set.  There was a wonderful breeze, sounds of meadowlarks and other birds as we stood together in a circle and listened to Emmalee Aman read from Jewish, Christian and Islamic texts in praise of Creation.  She asked us to focus on one aspect of Creation that has touched our soul and those who wanted shared.  Then we listened as Emmalee read a poetic prayer for the earth and we joined our voices to hers in a repeated refrain.  A joyfully sacred experience.  We returned at our leisure through the meadow in silence. 

Overnight at the C&O

I slept Saturday night at the C&O canal Pennyfield lockhouse.  Remember how hot that day was at 90 degrees.  Imagine my surprise to find that the thick stone walls of this 150+ year old home kept it perfectly cool inside.  We enjoyed the sound of rushing water, cooked outside in a firepit, and saw several great blue heron.  We walked by moonlight along the canal at night accompanied by a chorus of frogs, including the occasional bass call of bull frogs.  The sky was clear enough we could see the Big Dipper and other stars, a passing satellite, and a distinct shooting star.  The one negative, outhouses, was balanced by the chance to walk outside and watch the stars and twinkling fireflies.

What a great outing for a family -- experience something of life from the past.  Bring along bikes or kayaks and explore the water and trails of the C&O Canal.   For information on renting a lockhouse for a night call 301-745-8888 or visit www.CanalQuarters.org.

Invasive Plants: Mile-a-minute and Japanese Stiltgrass

INVASIVE PLANTS

Invasive species, habitat destruction and global climate change are leading causes of environmental degradation and loss of biological diversity worldwide.   The primary reason to know and control invasive species is their direct threat to native species.  Where invasive species take over native plants no longer thrive and the insects and animals which rely on these native plants are likewise lost.  On our blog we'll be highlighting particular invasive plants that are common in our area.  Pull them when you see them and share this information with your neighbors and friends.    Below are excellent resources for learning how to identify and remove invasive plants.

www.invasive.org
Photos and information on invasive plants, insects, animals, and diseases.

www.maipc.org
Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council

www.extension.umd.edu/hgic/problems/invasive-plant-list     A compilation of multiple lists for Maryland and neighboring states highlighting currently problematic invasive species

Mile-a-Minute

I've just come in from pulling this plant on a neighboring property (my good deed of the day).  The name tells you why this is an invasive plant.  It may not grow a mile-a-minute but it seems to as on really good day it can grow 12+ inches, 30 feet in a month or so.  The good news.  It is an annual and has shallow roots, so if you get out there in early June and pull it as it gets started, it is relatively easy to control.  And it hasn't been growing in our area for long.  The bad news.  If you let it grow it will climb over everything else and take over.  It also sets seeds (~500 per plant) which are dispersed by wildlife, wind, rain, and lawnmowers.  Take a seemingly innocuous 5 plants growing 12 inches a day and multiply by 500 (if left alone) and a potential 2,500 new plants enter our ecosystem.  

Persicaria perfoliata is a synonym for Polygonum perfoliatum, with common names like mile-a-minute weed, devil's tail, giant climbing tearthumb,and Asiatic tearthumb. It is a trailing annual vine with barbed stems and triangular leaves. It is native to most of temperate and tropical eastern Asia, from eastern Russia in the north down to India in the south.

Water is an important mode of dispersal. Its fruits can remain buoyant for 7–9 days, an important advantage for dispersing seed long distances in stream and river environments. The long vines frequently hang over waterways, allowing fruits that detach to be carried away in the water current. During storm events the potential spread of this plant is greatly increased throughout watersheds.(info and photos from Wikipedia)

Introduced in the U.S. by a nursery in Pennsylvania about 55 years ago, it has since spread to cover ~300 mile radius and growing.  If we all pull together we can rid our area of this noxious, alien weed.  Please share this information with your neighbors.

Japanese Stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum

This invasive shows up almost everywhere in our area -- even on remote nature trails.  I've seen many yards where it has essentially replaced the turf grass.  The good news is that it is very easy to pull if you catch it when it first invades.

Japanese stiltgrass was introduced into the United States in Tennessee in 1919. It is currently established in 16 eastern states, from New York to Florida.  It can be found in full sun to deep shaded forest conditions.  Stiltgrass invades disturbed shaded areas, like floodplains that are prone to natural scouring, and areas subject to mowing, tilling and other soil-disturbing activities including white-tailed deer traffic. It spreads to form dense patches, displacing native wetland and forest vegetation as the patch expands. It is an annual grass resembling a small, delicate bamboo; mature plants grow to 2-3 ft. in height.  Spreads: by seed and by rooting at joints along the stem—a new plant can emerge from each node; a single plant can produce 100-1,000 seeds that remain viable in the soil for at least three years, ensuring its persistence; seed germinates readily following soil disturbance.  Because it is similar in appearance to several native grasses, it is important to know how to recognize and differentiate stiltgrass from look-alikes. Attention to new infestations should be a priority. Because it is shallow-rooted, stiltgrass may be pulled by hand at any time.  For extensive infestations, herbicides are the most practical and effective method currently.  (from www.maipc.org)

Baptisia and Bumblebee Pollinators

Baptisia is a genus in the legume family, Fabaceae. They are flowering herbaceous perennial plants with pea-like flowers, followed by pods, which are sometimes inflated. They are native to woodland and grassland in eastern and southern North America. 

There are two plants of the genus Baptisia common to North America, blue false indigo (B. australis) and wild white indigo (B. alba). These  5-petaled flowers feature a broad upper petal (known as a banner), two lower petals spread out to the side (wings) and two more petals fused together and curled around the flower’s reproductive parts (the keel). Most thrive in full sun and will form a large clump over time.  Choose your location well as they have a deep tap root and are not easily transplanted once established.  Besides the lovely blooms which attract pollinators, I like that they are deer resistant and have attractive foliage throughout the summer, even in drought.  Photo below shows two clumps initially planted as only a few spikes each but growing to cover about 4 feet across each over ~7 years.  Plant where they'll have space to spread.

 The common name for Baptisia australis, false indigo, refers to the fact that flowers were used to create a blue dye.  In my garden the blue Baptisia bloom first, in May, followed by the yellow in June.  They will tolerate some shade but bloom best in sun.

Due to their size and strength bumble bees are well adapted to access the nectar and pollen within these uniquely shaped flowers. Bumble bees grip the keel with their mid and hind legs, using the leverage produced to propel them forward into the heart of the flower where they can access nectar. This has the benefit (from the flowers’ perspective) of lowering the keel and exposing the bumble bees’ fuzzy abdomen to the pollen-covered anthers.

According to Justin Wheller of the Xerces Society, Baptisia plants produce their blooms on long stalks (known as racemes). Blooms mature from the bottom up. As the blooms mature, older flowers are more pistillate (female), producing more nectar than pollen. Bumble bees will approach the stalk and land on the lower flowers first — seeking higher nectar rewards. They will then work their way up, ending with the more pollen-rich staminate (male) flowers at the top. As they move to the next stalk, pollen attached from the staminate flowers of the previous stalk is then transferred to the pistillate flowers of the current stalk.

A bumble bee works its way up the blooms of Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis). Photo: Justin Wheeler, the Xerces Society

Bike to Work Celebration

Caitlin Magidson‎ - Post to our FB page:

I enjoyed the DMV's "Bike to Work Day" and felt energized being in nature (verses the metro!). The Capital Crescent Trail was lovely! To learn more about his annual event:  http://www.waba.org/aboutbiketoworkday/.  

Are you a bike commuter?  Share your stories here as we encourage each other as earth stewards.  Maybe you don't bike.  What other ways are you reducing your commute impact:  public transportation, electric or hybrid vehicles, car pooling, walking, work from home?  

Roberto Cruz bikes to work daily -- you see his bike here as it was covered for rain protection.  He bikes in all weather and says you learn to dress to match the weather.  What he likes best is hearing and seeing the birds, including ducks on a local park pond and the morning quiet plus bird songs as he bikes along park paths much of his route.  It keeps you in great shape too.  In his case there are a few hills that get his mouth open, as he puts it.

Pucker up and kiss me -- Spigelia marilandica

This Maryland native is one of my favorites with its lipstick red flowers.  Unfortunately the deer love it too, so give it some protection.  Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. It prefers moist, organically rich soils but tolerates dry shade too.  We are at the northern edge of its range which extends south to Florida and west to Texas.  Hummingbirds seek out this flower.  It's in bloom now -- the first week of June.

Mountain Laurel Bloom

This gorgeous native shrub, Kalmia latifolia, is now blooming. They begin to bloom along the coast and warmer low lying areas in mid May. By June those found in the blue ridge mountains begin to open up. If you're out hiking in any wilder woody area, this is a great time to catch a glimpse of their truly, beautiful and unique hexagonal flowers. 

There are slopes of mountain laurel along the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail (see post under "Trails").  There are also large groves along the Calvert Cliff Trails. 

Various cultivated forms of this shrub are also used in the landscape (see photo below).  One challenge with growing this lovely evergreen native is the deer love to eat it.  Keep it protected if you have deer.  All parts of this plant are poisonous to us -- but that is no deterrent to the deer.  The range for this plant extends from southern Maine to northern Florida and west to Indiana.  It is the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Fascinating frogs and a few toads too

Alexander had a great time catching tadpoles at our opening event in May.  He kept them alive and watched them change into frogs then released them to a local pond.  Click on the photo gallery above to watch the transformation.

Could this frog from Merikay's pond be a relative to Alexander's tadpole?

There are approximately 4,800 recorded species of frogs, accounting for over 85% of extant amphibian species. They may have existed as far back as 265 million years ago.

Besides living in fresh water and on dry land, the adults of some species are adapted for living underground or in trees. The skin of the frog is glandular, with secretions ranging from distasteful to toxic. Warty species of frog tend to be called toads but the distinction between frogs and toads is based on informal naming conventions concentrating on the warts rather than taxonomy or evolutionary history. 

Frogs typically lay their eggs in water. The eggs hatch into aquatic larvae called tadpoles that have tails and internal gills. A few species deposit eggs on land or bypass the tadpole stage. Adult frogs generally have a carnivorous diet consisting of small invertebrates, but omnivorous species exist and a few feed on fruit. Frogs are extremely efficient at converting what they eat into body mass. They are an important food source for predators in many of the world's ecosystems. The skin is semi-permeable, making them susceptible to dehydration, so they either live in moist places or have special adaptations to deal with dry habitats. Frogs produce a wide range of vocalizations, particularly in their breeding season, and exhibit many complex behaviours to attract mates, to fend off predators and to survive.  (facts from Wikipedia)

A great way to learn more about frogs is to participate in a project called FrogWatch USA.  

What is FrogWatch USA?

FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that provides individuals, groups, and families with an opportunity to learn about wetlands in their communities and report data on the calls of local frogs and toads. Volunteers collect data during evenings from February through August and have been submitting data for over 15 years.  Training is quite basic and it's an excellent way to learn which frog species live near you.  It's surprisingly fun to be able to hear various frogs calling and identify them by species.

There are 20 species of frogs and toads in Maryland.  Photos, descriptions and calls are online in a Field Guide to Maryland Frogs and Toads.  Use it to identify frogs and toads in the photos below.  These were all found in my garden.  Can you determine the calls on the recording made from my window on June 6?  Calls change nightly depending on the temperature, rain, time and date.  I'll try to record another evening and post.  First person to send in the correct ID on all photos below wins a prize.  Email your answers to EarthStewardshipEast@gmail.com

http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/herps/fieldguide_OrderAnura.aspx

On the kitchen window -- how cool is that to stick to glass?

In a patch of oregano -- pizza, anyone?

Find me in the leaves if you can.

On a pawpaw tree leaf.

You wouldn't be able to see me at a distance on this rock.

Merikay almost stepped on me -- I'm only about an inch across.

Another near miss while weeding.

Blockhouse Pawpaw Trail

 Check out the Pawpaw Trail at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park. Park on River Road near the intersection with Petit Way. Follow the Blockhouse Trail for 1.5 miles then take the short Pawpaw trail a quarter mile to a rock outcropping with a spectacular view of the Potomac River and the C & O Canal trail. When the trees are not fully leafed out you can see all the way to Dickerson. There's a perfect rock outcropping to sit on and enjoy the view.

A Tale of Two Magnolias

Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) in a neighbor's garden.  The scent is heavenly.  I can't get enough of it.

We are fortunate in the eastern United States to have many beautiful native trees.  Two of my favorites are magnolias:  Magnolia virginiana and Magnolia grandiflora.  

Magnolia virgiana, commonly known as sweetbay magnolia or swamp magnolia

I wish you could experience the scent of Magnolia virginiana flowers.  Intoxicating.  the tree is worth growing for that alone.  It is a smaller, slower growing tree than the more commonly planted M. grandiflora.  In our area the tree is semi-evergreen.

It is the type species of the genus Magnolia; as Magnolia is also the type genus of all flowering plants (magnoliophytes), this species in a sense typifies all plants. Magnolia is an ancient genus. Plants identifiably belonging to the Magnoliaceae date to 95 million years ago. (Wikipedia)

Magnolia grandiflora

With it's huge flowers and glossy leaves, Magnolia grandiflora is spectacular.  We are north of its natural range so select a cultivar that is suited to our climate.   At maturity this tree can reach 90 feet or more.  One of the pleasures of living in our region is to experience the beauty of a mature southern Magnolia.

Why native plants?

I used to select the plants for my garden based on their appearance (and maybe price).  As a Master Gardener I've gradually learned more about the role of our plant choices in providing habitat that is being lost at alarming rates.  Though our part of the world often looks very green, the diversity and quality of habitat is in decline.  Most of our wooded areas, for example, are full of invasive species.  Often new trees are not able to grow due to heavy deer browsing.  If each of us tries to plant natives -- canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcover -- we can help mitigate native plant losses.  

Why plant a native tree?  Here's just one example.  The native dogwood (Cornus florda) supports 117 species of native moths and butterflies.   The Asian dogwood (Cornus kousa) supports no native insect herbivores (from Dr. Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware entomologist).  Often there are very complex relationships between plants and insects, birds and other animals.  When a native plant is no longer growing in an area, creatures dependent on that plant are also lost.  The web of life unravels.  

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Native dogwoods in bloom at the National Arboretum.

Virginia Bluebells

The Markoff family home is one of my favorite places to visit in spring -- what a delight to find native plants in bloom under trees rather than the typical landscape of lawn.

Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells) is a native spring ephemeral plant with bell-shaped sky-blue flowers.  In early summer, each fertilized flower produces four seeds and the plant goes dormant until spring.  Butterflies and bumblebees pollinate the flowers.  It will naturalize when planted in a shady woodland.

God bless the ground, I shall walk softly there

Spring beauties (claytonia virginica) and wild violet (viola papilionacea)

Happy 108th Birthday to the poet Theodore Roethke! When the tiny spring flowers push up through the soggy mud and begin to bloom, I think of the words of his 1953 poem The Waking,

Of those so close beside me, which are you?   

God bless the Ground!  I shall walk softly there,   

And learn by going where I have to go. 

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?   

The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;   

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. 

Great Nature has another thing to do   

To you and me; so take the lively air,   

And, lovely, learn by going where to go. 

You can read the full poem here. 

There are so many "close beside" us in this growing and blooming season. As we take time to learn which are which and who is who, we become aware of how abundantly full the earth is. I used to look into the forest and see a tangled mass of green. But by watching, each season I've become better at distinguishing individuals. I look forward to the arrival of my favorites and wish a blessing on their growing. My eyes have also sharpened on my less favored, the many over-reaching invasives that choke out the diversity, the native but voracious poison ivy that only the berry eating birds can love. 

Going forward on the blog we will be posting more about the many living beings in our area. 

Hello World

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is native to eastern and southern North America.  It grows 3 - 10 feet as a woody shrub and prefers moist soil and will even tolerate standing water.  It's showy flowers are fragrant and attract butterflies.  Tolerates full sun to shade. I have planted three in a low-lying area of our yard where rain collects.  

This is the first in a series on plants native to our area.  If you have a favorite native plant, please email us a photo and brief description..

Button Bush